NEWSLETTER 11
12th June 2026
VALUE OF THE TERM – FRIENDSHIP
“Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness, and he was called God’s friend.”
James 2, verse 23.
Year 6 Cathedral Leaver’s Service & Climbing Trip
We had a wonderful me at the Cathedral amongst several hundred Year 6 pupils and members of staff. Bishop Robert led us in prayers and thoughts, whilst Bob Hartman, story teller and the iSing Pop ladies led us in song. Afterwards we travelled to 270 Climbing for some physical workouts. Mrs Mckenna, Mrs Wilkes and I were very impressed with the children, their climbing abilities and willingness to attempt new and challenging climbs.
Staffing Updates
We have planned 3 ‘Keeping In Touch’ days with Mrs Barre at the end of June and into July. Her maternity period ends when she returns to the classroom on Tuesday 14th July.
In September Mrs Wilkes will be taking over the running of the Breakfast Club in addition to running the After School Club. There are more changes coming but there are many moving parts to a school and it sometimes takes a while before all the issues are resolved. I am keeping Miss Drewett fully updated and consulting wherever possible.
Safeguarding
You might notice if you visit the school that Safeguarding posters, flyers and leaflets are now readily accessible around the office recep on area – reminding visitors that safeguarding is our highest duty. Ask your child about the different lanyards we use. Those in assembly on Tuesday will, hopefully, tell you there is more than just a colour difference!
Facebook Changes
As soon as we can ac on this, our Facebook page will become a closed account, meaning online visitors will need ‘our friends’ to access the account. This is a one-off step to improve the safety and wellbeing of our pupils. To get this, please complete the request form within Facebook itself, and Miss Hedges will verify your request. From September we will be reducing the number of images we post to Facebook – the rise of AI and its ability to ‘harvest’ images of children is deeply disturbing. Therefore we’ll be posting images of backs of heads and over-shoulder shots – plenty to keep your interest and use as talking points with your children, but safer for everyone.
End-of-Year Parental Reports
As well as changing the method by which reports are distributed (see Newsletter 10), we’ve tweaked the ‘grades’ we will be using. Technically “Age-related expectation” and “Greater Depth” are reserved for when the entire cohort of Year 6 across England take the National Tests (SATS). Only then is the average determined! So for Children in Year 1 and upwards, we’ll be taking about children “On-Track” for meeting their expectations or “Exceeding” if they are consistently demonstrating knowledge and understanding in advance of their year group. “Working Towards” will indicate children are not quite there yet, whilst “Below” will indicate children who are performing at a level below their normal chronological age. Children whose a attainment is “Below” will be being supported by teachers and teaching assistants through adaptive teaching.
REMINDER – Parent Survey 2026
The Governors would very much appreciate your considered response to the annual Parent Survey, which you can find using this link –
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=ncetcp73A0qbBzCeEBM2NcXEAy6R4OJMkXVtKpPUkW1UME9QUDkzSzlQVk42UVhKWlZTWkY3N1NCVi4u It takes just 2 minutes (11 questions) and will be of immense value to our incoming Head Teacher, Miss Drewe . Governors will consider your responses in July. It would be FANTASTIC to receive a return rate greater than 25% which has occurred historically – so please encourage your
friends!
UPDATE – we already have 34 responses to the survey – approaching 50% of our pupils!
Thank you so much for engaging with us.
Poppies
Poppies were in bloom in our school grounds this week. They looked delightful!
PERSONAL NOTE. My grateful thanks go to all those who have expressed condolences over the death of my mother.
THINK. It is ILLEGAL TO PARK on zig zag lines outside a school. Potentially, it endangers all our children.
